Complete integrated development environment (IDE) for application developers

Qt Creator

Qt Creator

  -  360 MB  -  Open Source
  • Latest Version

    Qt Creator 18.0.0 LATEST

  • Review by

    Daniel Leblanc

  • Operating System

    Windows 7 64 / Windows 8 64 / Windows 10 64 / Windows 11

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    The Qt Company / External Link

  • Filename

    qt-creator-opensource-windows-x86_64-18.0.0.exe

For developers working with C++ and Qt, having a robust and feature-rich integrated development environment (IDE) is essential.

Qt Creator is a powerful and versatile IDE for Windows specifically designed for building Qt applications.

It is widely used for desktop, embedded, and mobile application development, offering an intuitive interface and a strong set of features.

Qt Creator is an open-source IDE designed to streamline Qt application development across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

It provides code editing, debugging, version control, and UI design tools, making it a comprehensive solution for Qt-based software development.

With its CMake, QMake, and Meson support, it caters to developers working on both simple and complex projects.

Main Features

Cross-Platform Support – Develop and deploy applications on Windows, Linux, macOS, and embedded systems.

Advanced Code Editor – Syntax highlighting, auto-completion, refactoring tools, and smart indentation for C++, QML, JavaScript, and Python.

Integrated Debugger – Supports GDB, LLDB, and Microsoft Debugger for seamless debugging of C++ applications.

Graphical UI Designer – Drag-and-drop UI design with Qt Quick Designer and Qt Widgets.

Built-in Version Control – Integration with Git, Subversion, and Perforce.

Project Management – Supports multiple build systems like CMake, QMake, and Meson.

Embedded Development – Debug and deploy applications for embedded platforms like Raspberry Pi and MCUs.

User Interface

Qt Creator features a clean and modern interface designed for efficiency. The IDE includes a split-pane view for working on multiple files simultaneously and provides customizable layouts.

It also features a powerful search and navigation system, making it easy to locate files, classes, and functions.

Installation and Setup
  • Download Qt Creator from the official Qt website.
  • Run the installer and select the required Qt components and dependencies.
  • Configure the build environment (choose CMake, QMake, or another build system).
  • Set up compilers and debuggers (MinGW, MSVC, Clang, etc.).
  • Start coding your Qt-based applications.
How to Use

Create a New Project – Use the project wizard to start a new Qt Widgets or Qt Quick application.

Write Code – Utilize the advanced editor with syntax highlighting and code completion.

Design UI – Use the drag-and-drop UI designer for easy interface building.

Compile & Build – Choose a build configuration and compile your project.

Debug & Test – Use the integrated debugger to troubleshoot issues.

Deploy – Package and deploy your application to the target platform.

FAQ

Is Qt Creator free?
Yes, this program is open-source, but the Qt framework has both free and commercial licensing options.

Can I use Qt Creator for Python development?
Yes, it supports Python with PyQt and PySide, but C++ is its primary language.

Does Qt Creator support CMake?
Yes, it fully supports CMake, making it compatible with modern C++ projects.

Can I use Qt Creator for non-Qt projects?
Yes, you can use Qt Creator as a general C++ IDE even for non-Qt applications.

Is Qt Creator good for beginners?
While Qt Creator is feature-rich, beginners may find it complex compared to simpler IDEs like Eclipse or Visual Studio Code.

Alternatives

Microsoft Visual Studio – A popular C++ IDE with powerful debugging tools.

Eclipse IDE – A versatile, extensible C++ IDE.

Pricing

Open-Source Version – Free for personal and non-commercial use.

Commercial License – Pricing varies depending on Qt Company’s licensing model for professional developers.

System Requirements
  • OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel or AMD (x86_64 architecture)
  • RAM: 4GB (8GB recommended)
  • Disk Space: 2GB minimum
  • Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 support required for Qt Quick applications
PROS
  • Excellent Qt integration for rapid development
  • Cross-platform support for Windows, Linux, and macOS
  • Powerful code editor with auto-completion and debugging tools
  • Great UI design tools for Qt Widgets and Qt Quick
  • Good support for embedded and mobile development
CONS
  • The free version lacks some commercial features
  • Limited third-party plugin ecosystem compared to Visual Studio
  • Can be resource-intensive for large projects
  • Commercial licensing can be expensive for professional use
Conclusion

Qt Creator is a powerful, cross-platform IDE that excels in Qt and C++ development. With an intuitive code editor, robust debugging tools, and excellent UI design capabilities, it is the preferred choice for developers working on Qt applications. While it may have a steeper learning curve for beginners, it provides all the necessary tools to build, test, and deploy high-quality software.

Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)
  • Qt Creator 18.0.0 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Qt Creator 18.0.0 Screenshot 1
  • Qt Creator 18.0.0 Screenshot 2

What's new in this version:

- Moved some messages from the `General Messages` to `Issues`
- Changed the notifications to popups with the option to opt-out with `Environment > Interface > Prefer banner style info bars over pop-ups`
- Added the `HostOs:DocumentsLocation`, `HostOs:GenericDataLocation`, `HostOs:HomeLocation`, and `HostOs:TempLocation` Qt Creator variables that map to the corresponding `QStandardPaths`
- Added the `:DirName` postfix for Qt Creator variables that map to file paths
- Fixed a freeze when installing large plugins
- Fixed the resolution of symlinks with directory links
- Fixed a performance regression when watching many files

Welcome:
- Added an `Overview` tab

Locator:
- Made `Use Tab Completion` (when pressing the `Tab` key) optional

Editing:
- Added the option `Environment > Interface > Use tabbed editors`
- Added `Window > Previous Tab` and `Window > Next Tab`
- Added `File > Save Without Formatting`
- Added `Open With > Cycle to Next Editor`
- Fixed that error markers were not removed when fixing the error

C++:
- Updated the prebuilt binaries to LLVM 21.1
- Added automatic insertion of the closing part of a raw string literal prefix
- Fixed that trailing white space was removed from raw string literals
- Fixed the generation of `compile_commands.json` for remote projects

Quick fixes:
- Added `Remove Curly Braces`
- Added `Add definition` for static data members
- `Re-order Member Function Definitions According to Declaration Order`did not move comments accordingly
- Fixed issues with templates and nested classes
- Fixed issues with nested template parameters
- Fixed that `Add Definition in .cpp` could be missing

Built-in:
- Added support for template deduction guides
- Added support for fold expressions
- Added support for `decltype(auto)` as function return types
- Added support for `if consteval` and `if not consteval`
- Added support for __int128
- Fixed the preprocessor expansion in include directives
- Fixed issues with defaulted and deleted functions
- Fixed the parsing of friend declarations with a simple type specifier
- Fixed the parsing of attributes after an operator name

QML:
- Added the option to install Qt Design Studio via the Qt Online Installer
- Added the option to override the path to `qmlls`
- Fixed an issue with `auto-format` on `.js` files

Copilot:
- Added support for GitHub Enterprise environments
- Fixed configuration issues with Copilot >= v1.49.0

Markdown:
- Improved table rendering
- Fixed the scaling of images
- Fixed the positioning of the transition arrow

GLSL:
- Fixed the handling of interface blocks

Projects:
- Moved the project settings to a `.qtcreator` subdirectory in the project directory. The `.user` file at the old location in the project directory is kept up to date in addition, for old projects
- Changed the `Build` and `Run` subitems to tabs in `Projects` mode and separated `Deploy Settings` from `Run Settings`
- Changed the `Current Project` advanced search to `Single Project` with an explicit choice of the project to search
- Removed the `Code Snippet` wizard from `File > New Project > Other Project`. Use `Plain C++` instead
- Made options from the global `Build & Run` settings available as project specific options
- Made `Copy Steps From Another Kit` available without first enabling the kit
- Made the default deploy configuration available for all target devices
- Added a configuration for various tools on devices, like GDB server, CMake, clangd, rsync, qmake, and more, and the option to auto-detect them
- Added the tool button `Create Issues From External Build Output` to the `Issues` view
- Added the `Preferences > Build & Run > Default Build Properties > Default working directory`setting for run configurations
- Added keyboard shortcuts for editing the active build and run configurations
- Added the option to add a file to a project directly from the `This file is not part of any project` warning
- Added the `Project` Qt Creator variable for the build configuration settings that maps to the project file path
- Added a Qt Interface Framework project wizard
- Added the `Enable logging category filtering` option for desktop run configurations with Qt 6.11 and later
- Added the option to hide unsuitable kits from the list in `Projects` mode
- Fixed `Duplicate File` for remote projects
- Fixed that changing the build device of a kit could update the kit settings UI without actually applying the change
- Fixed the navigation of remote projects with the `File System` view

CMake:
- Added more detailed information to the build progress tool tip
- Added the `ct` locator filter for running CTest tests
- Improved the search for `ninja`
- Fixed `Build for All Configurations`
- Fixed issues with rewriting `CMakeLists.txt` files with the UTF-8 BOM set
- Fixed that `CMAKE_TEST_LAUNCHER` was set for non-test targets

qmake:
- Fixed various issues with opening remote projects
- Python:
- Removed PySide2 from the project wizard options

Workspace:
- Changed projects to be automatically configured for the default kit on first use
- Added minimal support for Cargo build projects (Rust)

Autotools:
- Fixed issues with parsing projects

Debugging:
C++:
- Fixed `Load QML Stack`
- Fixed the pretty printing of `std::optional` and `std::vector`
- Fixed the option to override the debug server channel

Analyzer:
Clang:
- Added Clang-Tidy and Clazy issues from the current document to the `Issues` view
- Improved the performance of loading diagnostics from a file
- Fixed freezes when applying multiple fix-its

QML Profiler:
- Fixed that the zoom slider kept resetting

Axivion:
- Added a request for the user to add a path mapping when opening files from the issues table and none exist

Coco:
- Fixed issues with MinGW

Version Control Systems:

Git:
- Added `Git > Local Repository > Patch > Apply from Clipboard`
- Added `Git > Local Repository > Patch > Create from Commits`

Commit editor:
- Added `Recover File`, `Revert All Changes to File`, and `Revert Unstaged Changes to File` to the context menu on files
- Added `Stage`, `Unstage`, and `Add to .gitignore` to the context menu on untracked files
- Added actions for resolving conflicts
- Added an error indicator and error messages to the `Add Branch` dialog
- Added `Diff & Cancel` to the `Checkout Branch` dialog
- Added a visualization of the version control state to the `File System` view
- Improved performance of file modification status updates
- Fixed updating the `Branch` view after changes

Test Integration:
- Improved Qt Test and Qt Quick Test wizards
- Fixed the output parsing when debugging Qt Tests

Windows:
- Fixed that a Windows SDK download folder was unnecessarily created